Sayulita beaches: where to swim, surf and watch the sunset
Sayulita has four beaches within walking distance. Playa Sayulita is the main beach, busy and lively. Playa de los Muertos is smaller and calmer, with much better swimming. Playa Carricitos, through the jungle, is the best place for sunset. Playa Malpaso is a beautiful walk north of town. For water quality, check ProSayulita, a local non-profit that tests the water every month and posts the results on its Facebook page.
The beaches at a glance
| Beach | Best for | Walk from our homes |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Sayulita | Surf, people watching, restaurants | 7 to 8 min |
| Playa de los Muertos | Swimming, a calmer day | 8 to 9 min |
| Playa Carricitos | Sunset, a quiet afternoon | 17 min |
| Playa Malpaso | A walk through the jungle | 30 to 45 min from the north end of Playa Sayulita |
Playa Sayulita, the main beach
The town beach, and the liveliest. It's where the restaurants, beach clubs and surf are, and where most of Sayulita spends the day. Great for a walk, a drink and watching the surfers. If you want a calmer swim, head south to Los Muertos.
Playa de los Muertos, the best for swimming
A smaller beach with much better swimming, away from the hustle and bustle of the main beach. It sits next to the old cemetery (the name means "beach of the dead") at the end of a short path through the jungle. There are chairs to rent, and food and drinks for sale. It's the closest beach to Vida Feliz Casitas and Casa Aurora.
Playa Carricitos, the sunset beach
Our favourite beach in the area, and the ultimate picturesque sunset spot, so go later in the day. Pack some drinks and snacks and enjoy the view. In whale season you can often see whales spouting offshore.
How to get there:
- In Google Maps, choose walking directions to the beach access entrance ("Acceso Playa")
- From the entrance, follow the path down to the beach. It's steep in places, so take your time
- Or take a golf cart and park along the side of the road at the entrance
Playa Malpaso, a jungle walk north
A beautiful beach north of town, 30 to 45 minutes on foot. Walk to the very north end of Playa Sayulita, climb up the rocks and around the front of the house there, then follow the trail through the jungle. Lovely views all the way.
Is the water in Sayulita safe for swimming?
For water quality, we always point guests to ProSayulita, a local non-profit that tests the water at several points along the beach every month and posts the results on its Facebook page. It's the most up to date source there is.
The water can be worse at the busiest times of year, around New Year and Semana Santa, which is normal for a popular beach town. If you're visiting then, check ProSayulita's latest results, and remember that Playa de los Muertos is a short walk away.
Beach gear
Our homes come with beach towels, umbrellas and chairs, so you don't need to pack or rent your own.
Last checked by our team on 21 October 2026. Things change in a small town, so if something here is out of date, tell us on WhatsApp.
